Is it normal for a therapist to mention her religion or atheism?

Mbluish · Sep 22, 2019 at 03:02 PM

My husband is seeing a therapist for depression. Since he became depressed, he has been questioning his Catholic faith. He told me she told him that she was an ex-Catholic and current atheist. I just find this odd that a therapist would bring up such personal information and fear that this revelation could sway him.

QuietTulip · Sep 22, 2019 at 03:45 PM

From my experience, it is not that unusual. She may have just been trying to signal to him that it was okay to talk about losing faith since she had done so permanently. But I think it is irresponsible because, as you said, it could sway him . Religion is a highly sensitive and personal issue.

seeker33 · Sep 24, 2019 at 06:00 AM

I agree it is quite common. However, it's up to your husband to say wether he wants to continue the discussion or not. He has a full right to deny any conversation that makes him uncomfortable.

amandalouise · Sep 24, 2019 at 12:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by QuietTulip

From my experience, it is not that unusual. She may have just been trying to signal to him that it was okay to talk about losing faith since she had done so permanently. But I think it is irresponsible because, as you said, it could sway him . Religion is a highly sensitive and personal issue.

yes its ok for treatment providers to say whether they are religious and have a religion and lack of one too. here in the USA we don't censor, nor discriminate things like religion.

I and my treatment providers talk about all kinds of things, sex, family, religion, handicaps, lifes challenges, ….I know what religion she is and she knows what my religious beliefs are. we have many conversations about religions

SlumberKitty · Sep 25, 2019 at 03:32 PM

My T and I talk about religion. I know she is a different religion than me, but she still has a good working knowledge of my religion so we are able to speak about it. I don't view her talking about her religion as swaying me. When she talks about something I don't believe in, I just let it go in one ear and out the other and shift the topic of conversation back to something I do believe in. I can see the concern though that your husband would be swayed. I think it probably would have been better for the T to not disclose her personal status and just talk about what that meant for your husband.

Nammu · Sep 25, 2019 at 03:50 PM

Seems to me that in all your posts about your husband you are afraid of his changing. Maybe instead of focusing on his life you could get counseling for yourself and focus on your own life. The only person you can control is yourself.

CANDC · Sep 27, 2019 at 10:44 PM

I have been part of a friend's therapy for 12 years and religion never came up. In fact it was only recently we found out they had a spouse. It was 2 years ago found out they had a daughter.

For me when the therapist focuses on the client's situation they express empathy and validate their emotions. In my opinion, it is more beneficial than when the therapist tells of their own process. It is a sharp shift of focus to begin talking about yourself. But maybe you should ask your husband how he feels with that therapist. No one can say better than him.

On the other hand, it would be very natural to be saying that with a friend.

HALLIEBETH87 · Sep 28, 2019 at 02:09 AM

Mine knows I am a believer and although he says religion “ is not important” to him he encourages me to practice my faith because he knows when I’m stable it’s important to me. At the same time when I am unstable I become psychotic and get religiously focused so he tries to help me reign it in.

Sep 28, 2019 at 05:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mbluish

My husband is seeing a therapist for depression. Since he became depressed, he has been questioning his Catholic faith. He told me she told him that she was an ex-Catholic and current atheist. I just find this odd that a therapist would bring up such personal information and fear that this revelation could sway him.

I agree with the other poster who advised you to let your husband make his own decisions regarding his religious faith. That is not your decision to make for him. If he decides to become an agnostic or atheist, as his wife you have two choices; you can respect his choice and support him, or you can force him to choice between his marriage with you and his decision to leave his Catholic faith.

It's not your place to control your husband's beliefs about anything. If he decides not to be a practicing Catholic anymore, then you can either support him or reject him for it. But I think it would be very selfish for you to force him to remain a practicing Catholic just to please you, since you are obviously very faith-centered.

No, it's not uncommon for a therapist to discuss their views about religion. Your husband really shouldn't be sharing his therapy session discussions with you either. Those are private. I sense that you force him to share everything with you, or you get very mad at him.

Mbluish · Sep 29, 2019 at 11:13 PM

Blanche, I am not faith centered. I am not even baptized. I joke and call myself a Catholic-atheist. I am pursuing the religion because of my feelings. My husband can make his own decisions and has. I respect his decision, whatever it may be. And I do not force him to talk about nor do I ask him about his therapy. No need for your judgment in a place that I thought would be safe for me.

nottrustin · Oct 20, 2019 at 07:01 PM

I am Catholic and my faith is a huge part of my life. I told both my therapists about my beliefs. My first therapist was raised a in a Congregational Chuch but had not practiced for years. She was very supportive of my faith and we discussed my faith openly as she knew it help me a great deal.

My second therapist usually does not tell her clients her religious beliefs for fear clients will judge her work and thoughts without getting to know her.

She realized for me it will be helpful to know she is also Catholic. We have many theological discussions and how they relate my life and healing.

How we she, enjoys working with with the LGBQ community along with other groups who the media says Catholics are against.

whimsicalman · Oct 23, 2019 at 11:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nottrustin

I am Catholic and my faith is a huge part of my life. I told both my therapists about my beliefs. My first therapist was raised a in a Congregational Chuch but had not practiced for years. She was very supportive of my faith and we discussed my faith openly as she knew it help me a great deal.

My second therapist usually does not tell her clients her religious beliefs for fear clients will judge her work and thoughts without getting to know her.

She realized for me it will be helpful to know she is also Catholic. We have many theological discussions and how they relate my life and healing.

How we she, enjoys working with with the LGBQ community along with other groups who the media says Catholics are against.

I love how both your therapists were cognizant of how what/how they shared was in direct line with your therapeutic needs. Truly a blessing. I respect your second therapist's perspective on keeping that information to herself, in general practice, but recognizing how sharing actually benefitted the interaction you two had.

sophiebunny · Oct 25, 2019 at 01:09 AM

My therapist and psychiatrist share my religious beliefs. It is extremely helpful. Not to mention we share all the same holidays so scheduling is convenient.

mote.of.soul · Nov 05, 2019 at 02:28 AM

@Mbluish

It's possible that when the subject of his religion came up, your husband may have asked the therapist if she had religious views, as well. And if that's the case, then the therapists response was absolutely fine.

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Mbluish Member Member Since Sep 2019 Location: California Posts: 60 4 50 hugs given	Sep 22, 2019 at 03:02 PM #1 My husband is seeing a therapist for depression. Since he became depressed, he has been questioning his Catholic faith. He told me she told him that she was an ex-Catholic and current atheist. I just find this odd that a therapist would bring up such personal information and fear that this revelation could sway him.
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seeker33 Poohbah Member Since Nov 2017 Location: Europe Posts: 1,417 6 1,603 hugs given	Sep 24, 2019 at 06:00 AM #3 I agree it is quite common. However, it's up to your husband to say wether he wants to continue the discussion or not. He has a full right to deny any conversation that makes him uncomfortable. __________________ Complex trauma Highly sensitive person I love nature, simplicity and minimalism
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sophiebunny Veteran Member Member Since Jan 2019 Location: Pittsburgh Posts: 570 5 77 hugs given	Oct 25, 2019 at 01:09 AM #13 My therapist and psychiatrist share my religious beliefs. It is extremely helpful. Not to mention we share all the same holidays so scheduling is convenient.
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mote.of.soul Legendary Member Since Jan 2018 Location: New Zealand Posts: 13,126 (SuperPoster!) 6 21.9k hugs given	Nov 05, 2019 at 02:28 AM #14 @Mbluish It's possible that when the subject of his religion came up, your husband may have asked the therapist if she had religious views, as well. And if that's the case, then the therapists response was absolutely fine.
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